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Grantee Research Project Results

Final Report: Fundamental and Applied Chemistry Relevant to the Use of Humic Acids

EPA Grant Number: R828158
Title: Fundamental and Applied Chemistry Relevant to the Use of Humic Acids
Investigators: Von Wandruszka, Ray
Institution: University of Idaho
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2002
Project Amount: $188,697
RFA: Exploratory Research - Engineering, Chemistry, and Physics) (1999) RFA Text |  Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water , Air , Safer Chemicals , Land and Waste Management

Objective:

The objective of the research project was to investigate the use of commercial leonardite humic acid (LHA) for the detoxification of polluted water.

Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):

Fundamental Work 1. A conductance study of LHA and seven other humic materials showed that the slopes of conductometric replacement titration curves are related to the electrophoretic mobility of humic polyanions in aqueous solution. We ascribed this to their molecular sizes, and tested this hypothesis on materials of different size distributions and on separated size fractions.

Fundamental Work 2. Dynamic conductance measurements revealed the dynamics of metal-humate association and dissociation when heavy metals were added to dilute aqueous solutions of humic materials. Copper-humate interactions were least affected by metal dispersal, while zinc-humate complexes dissociated most rapidly.

Applied Work. Water contaminated with zinc and trichloroethylene (TCE) was purified by extraction with an LHA-filled column. Extraction parameters were established, and efficiencies capacities were determined. Interference by common cations were found to be minor, and extraction problems in acidic solutions (pH <4) were solved by the introduction of a neutralizing medium. The process was successfully tested on actual mine run-off.


Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format

Publications Views
Other project views: All 8 publications 3 publications in selected types All 3 journal articles
Publications
Type Citation Project Document Sources
Journal Article Riggle J, von Wandruszka R. Conductometric characterization of dissolved humic materials. Talanta 2002;57(3):519-526. R828158 (2001)
R828158 (Final)
not available
Journal Article Riggle J, von Wandruszka R. Dynamic conductivity measurements in humic and fulvic acid solutions. Talanta 2004;62(1):103-108. R828158 (Final)
not available
Journal Article von Wandruszka R, Newell JD. Removal of zinc and trichloroediylene from water by column extraction with a crude humic acid. Environmental Progress 2002;21(3):209-214. R828158 (2001)
R828158 (Final)
not available

Supplemental Keywords:

conductance slope, metal-humate complexation., RFA, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, Scientific Discipline, Geographic Area, Water, Waste, Remediation, Restoration, Mercury, State, Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration, Chemistry, mercury transport, Environmental Chemistry, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, Bioavailability, Ecology and Ecosystems, humic acids, control technologies, contaminant transport, lead, contaminated mines, Montana , acid mine discharge, acid mine drainage, restoration planning, restoration strategies, Idaho (ID), acid mine runoff, alternative cleanup standards, metal release, polychlorinated biphenyls, dynamic light scattering, analytical chemistry, aquatic ecosystems, humic acid, PCBs, mercury concentration

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract
  • 2001 Progress Report
  • Top of Page

    The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

    Project Research Results

    • 2001 Progress Report
    • Original Abstract
    8 publications for this project
    3 journal articles for this project

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